When people think of ultrasound techs (also known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists), they often visualize the TV shows, movies, or ads they’ve seen where ultrasound is used during pregnancy to give parents a peek inside the womb to view the moving and growing baby. This is probably the most famous utilization of ultrasound, but there are so many other uses for this powerful technology as well. Sonographers play a vital role in evaluating and diagnosing a huge range of medical conditions among pre-born, newborn, child, adult, and elderly patients.

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What do Medical Sonographers do?

Sonography is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. Though it is most commonly associated with obstetrics, sonography is used as diagnostic aid in many circumstances.

A sonographer is the technician who operates the equipment, called a transducer, and records the results for interpretation by a physician. The process begins with the sonographer talking with the patient and recording any medical history that may be relevant. The sonographer then ultimately uses imaging technology to project a live view of a patients’ internal tissue.

Though sonographers are not qualifed to diagnose, they do make preliminary judgments based on the images and select which of these images to show to a physician.

Many sonographers also have clerical duties such as preparing work schedules, evaluating equipment purchases and/or managing a sonography/ultrasound department.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 59 percent of sonographers are employed in hospitals, while the rest work in physicians’ offices or diagnostic laboratories. Some sonographers also travel with imaging service providers.

What are the Different Job Titles?

A sonographer is the same thing as an ultrasound tech. There is no difference. In fact, depending on their place of employment and special area of practice, they can also have job titles such as:

Diagnostic medical sonographer

Ultrasound technologist

Ultrasound technician

Ultrasonographer

Diagnostic cardiac sonographer

Cardiac sonographer

Echocardiographic technician

Vascular sonographer

How do I Become a Medical Sonographer in Glenrock?

There are multiple avenues to becoming a medical sonographer, including formal education from a college, university, or hospital; technical training at a vocational school; or training in the armed forces in Glenrock. No state requires formal certification for medical sonographers; however, certifying bodies exist, most notably the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), and many employers prefer certified sonographers because they have been held to a regulated standard. A sonographer can qualify to sit for the exam through formal education or work experience.

If you choose formal education, the types of programs available are:

Associate Degree – These two-year programs are offered at various colleges, and are the most prevalent degree in Glenrock. They also make up the majority of the 150 accredited programs nationwide. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, physics, patient care, and medical ethics.

Bachelor’s Degree – A few four-year sonography training programs exist at colleges and universities in Glenrock, but they are much less common than associate programs. These programs are also accredited.

Vocational Certificate – Some vocational/technical schools offer one-year training programs in sonography in Glenrock, and some employers accept this as sufficient education. This avenue is mainly recommended for professionals who are already employed in the health field and seeking training in ultrasound to increase their marketability. A certificate may not be the best way to get started in the field.

Ultrasound Technician Career Overview in Glenrock

Required Education

Associate’s degree is most common; certificate and bachelor’s degree programs also available

Certification

Professional certification may be required or preferred by some employers

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Glenrock

Ultrasound technician schools are located throughout the Glenrock, but how do you know if the one you choose will give you the education you need? Consider some of the following criteria when comparing colleges:

Accreditation: Look for ultrasound technician schools in Glenrock that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) or regional accrediting agencies. Without accreditation, students are unable to apply for federal financial aid or earn professional certification.

High-tech facilities: As an ultrasound technician, you’ll work with technology and state-of-the-art equipment every day. This is why it’s important to find a school that offers instruction in high-tech facilities. Once you’ve gained knowledge in the classroom, you’ll want to put your skills to the test with hands-on training. Be sure to tour a school’s facility and learn what type of access you’ll have to the labs on campus.

Externship opportunities: One of the best ways to understand a day-in-the-life of an ultrasound technician is to get out in the field. Look for a school that partners with local medical facilities or labs for externships. Real-life experience is invaluable; you’ll be able to shadow a sonographer, ask questions and learn about the challenges and rewards of the job. No textbook can offer that type of experience.

Employment Outlook for Ultrasound Technicians in Glenrock

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers in Glenrock, commonly referred to as ultrasound technicians, is very promising with a projection of 39% more positions available by the year 2021. The BLS adds that the median ultrasound technician salary in Dec 2015 was $65,552 annually; the top 14% among the ultrasound job market made over $92,698 and the lowest 17% made less than $46,564. With ultrasound technician demand expected to grow, salaries in turn should reflect the growing value placed on sonography within the medical world.